Method and apparatus for applying labels



May 4, 1954 H. F. EISENGREIN 'ET AL 2,677,477

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Filed Aug. 21, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 ffarr 1 53a rain y" f m WJMW fl TTORNEY May 4, 1954 H. F. EISENGREIN ET AL 2,677,477

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Filed Aug. 21 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Harry F6250: Ifflt H RNEY May 4, 1954 H. F. EISENGREIN ETAL 2,677,477

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Filed Aug. 21 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 m s H m m 32 m e V 0v a N1. lin F41 r Mm H. Y B

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METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Filed Aug. 21, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 WXM H TTORNE Y May 4, 1954 H. F. EISENGREIN ET AL 2,677,477

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Filed Aug. 21 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 4, 1954 H. F. E'ISENGREIN ETA],

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Patented May 4, 1954 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING LABELS Harry F. Eisengrein, Floral Park, and Albert 0. Adams, Flushing, N. Y., assignors to Republic Steel Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 21, 1951, Serial No. 242,902

37 Claims. 1

This invention pertains to a labeling machine and method, and more particularly relates to a machine and method for applying adhesive labels from a perforated strip to lengths of conduit and the like. The adhesive is generally at present of the heat-sensitive type, but the machine may be adapted or adaptable to operate with other adhesive for the labels.

A particular application of our machine is in applying so-called underwriters labels to lengths of electrical tubing or conduit. Such tubing is generally in lengths of about ten feet, and gen erally has a nominal diameter from inch to 2 inches, although it will be understood that the apparatus of the present invention may be adapted for applying labels to tubular articles of other lengths and other diameters.

In certain prior proposals for the use of labels having heat-sensitive adhesive, the label has not been severed from the strip until after it has been heated and preliminarily attached to the article. Therefore, the severing is difiicult, in that the labels tend to stick to the cut-off knife.

One proposal which has been advanced for solvin these difficulties involves a machine for putting a label on the upper side of a length of conduit and then exerting impact or pressure on the label, from above, to stick it to the conduit. However, the operation is rather cumbersome and such a machine is subject to the difficulty that it must be intermittently operated, such as by a one-revolution clutch, or special, periodic electrical controls or the like. This slows down the operation of the machine. Furthermore, such a machine must of necessity have many of its operating parts above the level of the table or conveyor means along which the tubes or conduits are carried, a condition which is not conducive to safety or to a satisfactory mechanical structure, or to convenience in actual operation.

Our machine overcomes the above mentioned diiiiculties, and in addition possesses many ad- .vantages not found in prior devices.

According to our method as practiced in a presently preferred manner, labels are applied to lengths of conduit and the like from a perforated strip by placing the foremost label of the strip partially over a heat application table, herein conveniently called a griddle, and then momentarily halting the movement of the strip. For examplaif, as has been required for one purpose, the label is 1 /2 inches long, we have found that very good results are attained if the label is pushed at this stage about inch over the griddle.

While the label is momentarily halted in this position, the label is severed from the rest of the strip, at its relatively cool, trailing end, and then the severed label is pushed the rest of the way onto the griddle where its adhesive is plasticized by heat. At this time, a length of conduit is rolled across the griddle under pressure and the label adheres to the conduit. The label is severed when only partially over the hot griddle to permit the severing means to be thermally insulated, e. g. separated from the griddle by an air gap, so that the severing means will not become heated and stick to the label.

Briefly, in its presently preferred form, our machine comprises a heated surface or griddle, means for rolling lengths of conduit thereacross under pressure, and means operable in timed relationship with the conduit lengths for pushing the foremost label of the strip partially over the griddle, momentarily halting the strip at this position, severing the foremost label from the remainder of the strip while the latter is halted momentarily, and pushing the now-severed label the rest of the way over and onto the griddle.

The means for pushing the foremost label onto the griddle includes a continuously operable, reciprocable pawl having a finger or equivalent means which is adapted to engage a perforation, or a plurality of perforations, between the foremost label and the remainder of the strip. When the pawl thus engages the perforation, it pushes the foremost label partially over the griddle at which point a reciprocable cut-off knife rises and severs the foremost label from the remainder of the strip. As the cut-off knife recedes, the pawl resumes its forward motion, pushing the nowsevered label the rest of the way over and onto the heated griddle, where the adhesive material on the exposed upper face of the label is rendered tacky or plastic. After the severed label is fully positioned upon the griddle, a length of conduit is rolled thereacross under pressure, and the label is thus applied to the conduit.

The machine preferably further includes means whereby the perforation between the foremost label and the remainder of the strip is positioned in engageable relationship with the finger of the pawl only when a length of conduit is advancing toward the griddle. Such means may conveniently include a timing lever in the path of the advancing lengths and operable thereby, and a trigger responsive to the position of the timing lever for lowering the perforation into the path of the finger of the reciprocable pawl only when the timing lever is actuated by a length of conduit.

A roll-down belt above the conduit level, i. e. the level at which the successive conduits are advanced, is used for rolling the conduit across the griddle under pressure, and may conveniently be made adjustable whereby the same machine can be used for labeling conduit of different diameters. It will be understood that the successive tubes or lengths of conduit can conveniently be carried sidewise, i. e. each moving at right angles to its length, on suitable horizontal conveyor means leading to and away from the machine, such as a pair of conveyor belts which run past the machine and from which the conduits are slightly elevated while being advanced by the roll-down belt.

A side guide may be provided to align the ends of the conduit lengths, for instance as they approach on the conveyor means, so that the label will be applied a uniform distance from the ends of such lengths.

The tubes are preferably separated from each other before being engaged by the roll-down belt by means of a bumped section or structure which is arranged in the path of the tubes as advanced by the conveyor means, and which may conveniently be constituted by the upper parts of an axially spaced pair of freely rotating wheels. A suitable paddle wheel may also be positioned intermediate the bumped section and the entering end of the roll-down belt to discharge lengths of conduit one at a time to the roll-down belt at spaced intervals.

To remove the danger that the pawl might tear the strip because of the back drag weight of a large strip roll, a looper is preferably provided to create and maintain a slack in the strip.

If desired, for example, to assure flatness of the label or to provide a given curvature for best cooperation with the selected shape, fiat or otherwise, of the griddle surface, the contour of the label is controlled by a crimper operable in timed relationship with the looper.

There may also be special means to assure that the label is positioned as desired upon the griddle. To that end in the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the griddle is surrounded on threesides by two sideboards and a back stop, such that when a tube reaches the griddle, it pushes the side- .boards and back stop down to a flush position against suitable spring resistance, thereby leaving the label on an unrestricted table.

The griddle surface may, be arranged to be angularly movable, e. g. by constituting the top piece of the griddle as a saddle which is mounted to rock on a support and which is thus freely alignable with the conduit lengths, to assure flat engagement between conduit lengths and labels, for example, in case a bowed length of conduit passes through the machine.

After the length of tubing and its label leave the griddle, they preferably pass, still under pressure applied by the roll-down belt, along a roll-down table, where the label application is completed. The top of the roll-down table, like the top of the griddle, may preferably be mounted to move angularly, as by including a saddle-like under-structure which rocks on a suitable support and which is thus freely alignable with bowed conduit or the like to assure fiat engagement between each length of conduit and the roll-down table.

Accordingly, with certain important and novel features of our machine 'now preliminarily explained, it willbe appreciated'that an important object of the invention is to provide a method and machine for applying adhesive labels from a perforated strip to lengths of conduit and the like, which will be of rapid, sure operation. For example, one specific embodiment of the machine outlined above and more particularly described below is being continuously operated at speed rates of 1000 to 5000 label applications an hour.

It is another object to provide improved, more effective and entirely reliable procedure and apparatus whereby successive labels in a strip of many, say 25,000 or any other desired number in a supply roll, are applied to successive lengths of tubing or like articles having a curved surface, each label being appropriately severed from the strip and adhered in smooth, conforming engagement with the surface of a tube. A particular object, in such method and machine, is to permit the use of labels carrying a heat-sensitive adhesive, so that each label is conveniently handled, heated and applied in a separate manner, without adverse effect of the label-heating or adhering operation on other parts of the apparatus or on repeated functioning with succeeding labels, and without interrupting the substantially continuous travel of successive lengths of tubing past the labelapplying locality.

Additional, specific objects are to provide such a machine: in which there is no danger that a label will stick to the severing means or knife; in which labels will be fed to the label-applying locality, such as a heated griddle, only when a length of conduit approaches the griddle; and in which the lengths of conduit are fed to the griddle one at a time at spaced intervals.

It is a further object to provide such a machine which can be used with lengths of conduit of different diameters.

It is another object to provide such a machine in which the label feeding means operates positively and rapidly but cannot tear the label strip.

It is still a further object to provide apparatus of the character described which is adapted or adaptable to the application of labels at right angles or at any other desired angle relative to the axis of the conduit, a particular object being thus to provide means whereby the labels may be accurately positioned on the griddle or like surface in any preselected relationship to the lengths of conduit.

Other objects are to afford such apparatus: in which means is provided for controlling the contour of the labels, e. g. Whether fiat or bent in any desired way, as received on the griddle; in which the labels are applied at a uniform distance from the ends of the lengths of conduit; and in which bowed or otherwise slightly irregular lengths of conduit are provided for, should any such be fed tothe machine.

It is a further object to provide such a machine in which most of the operating parts are below the conduit level as defined above, to render the operation of the machine very safe and to afford unusual convenience of structure and functioning, with-full visibility of the actual labelling steps.

It is another object to provide such a machine which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and yet is rugged and reliable and is cheap to operate.

The above and other objects and advantages will-appear more clearly from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. '1 is a generalplan view of one embodiment of the machine of the invention, herein illustrated and described by way of example, Fig. 1 also showing the transporting belts and other details;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the machine as seen from the discharge end thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is likewise a vertical section, on line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the machine taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 below the roll-down belt;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-45 of Fig. 2 and showing details of the gear box;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 6 and showing further details of the gear box;

Fig. 8 is a view partly in vertical section showing details of the label-feeding mechanism with the pawl near its rearmost position and With no tube depressing. the trigger;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 but with the pawl at its intermediate position and just after a tube has depressed the trigger, so that the finger of the pawl has advanced a label part way onto the griddle;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on line Ill-ll! of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line Il-Il of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on line !2--|2 of Fig. 8 and showing the saddle-like mounting of the griddle;

Fig. 13 is a perspective, exploded view of the griddle and the roll-down table and the mounting means for those parts, Fig. 13 also showing a label fully positioned on the griddle;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a portion of a label strip of a type adapted to the disclosed embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 15 is a plan View of a portion of a modified form of label strip; and

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of the pawl, knife and a label guide means shown in their relative positions just after a label has been severed, and also showing in dotted lines a portion of the label strip and a severed label.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the various views.

To get a general appreciation of our machine and the operation performed thereby, reference is first had to Fig. 1, wherein the labeler is shown in plain View, together with the tube transporting means. Tubes or lengths of conduit 14 are carried horizontally upon two parallel transporting belts It in the direction shown by the arrows thereon. For example, if the tubes l4 are each ten feet long, the belts It may conveniently be spaced about seven feet apart with the longitudinal centers of the tubes 14 half-way between the belts l6.

Before the tubes I4 reach the labeling machine, indicated generally at 18 and positioned adjacent one of the belts IS, the tubes are separated to assure that they are fed one at a time to the labeler at predetermined, spaced intervals. To effect this separation, the tubes first pass over a bumped section, which may preferably be a pair of freely-rotating, non-driven .wheels 20 which are shown edgewise in Fig. 1 close to and between the belts l6 and which have upper segments projecting above the plane of the belts, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4. It will be appreciated that the tubes are pushed up on the bump constituted by the wheel segments, under the pressure of the following line or array of tubes, sidewise abutting each other, on the belts. The wheels 20 discharge the tubes I4, one at a time, onto a pair of ramps 22, down which the separated tubes roll. Near the bottom of the ramps 22 is a continuously rotating paddle wheel 24 with its axis (represented by its shaft 26) parallel to the tubes. The paddle wheel 24 has a plurality of blades 28, five being illustrated (see for example Fig. 3 or Fig. 4), one of which picks up each advancing tube (4 and discharges it into the labeler iii. A runner 29 near one end of the tube is provided to guide the tube after it has been picked up by the paddle wheel 24.

In the labeler 18, the tube I4 is engaged by a continuously-moving, endless, roll-down belt 30, which rolls the tube along under pressure in the same direction as before. The labeling operation takes place while the tube I4 is engaged by the roll-down belt 30, and when the labeling operation is completed, the tube l4 leaves the roll-down belt 30 and returns to the transporting belts Hi. It should be noted that from the time a tube I4 encounters the wheels 2!! until the labeling action has been completed, that tube is at a level above the belts I6. A suitable support 33 having a portion corresponding to the runner 29 is provided to raise the end of the tube remote from the labeler 18 so that the tube will be substantially horizontal during the labeling operation. That is to say, the configuration of the upper, tube-supporting surface of the support 33 is approximately the same as the tube support parts for the end of the tubes corresponding to the labeler l8.

A side guide 32 is provided to aid in aligning the tubes l4 before they reach the labeler, so that the labeling operation will occur a uniform distance from the tube ends. A second guide for the other ends of the tubes may be provided if desired, but we have found this to be unnecessary in most cases, as an operator can easily push the incoming tubes against the guide 32.

Preferably, stops 3| are provided in the tube path between the ramps 22 and the paddle wheel 24, which stops are adjustable to assure that each blade 28 of the paddle wheel 24 picks up only one tube M at a time for any pre-selected tube diameter.

Next will be described in more detail the mechanism for feeding the tubes [4 through the labeler l8, particular reference at first being had to Figs. 3 and i.

The runner 2Q has a ramp 291' down which the tubes roll (one at a time) between the blades 28 of the paddle wheel 24 enroute to engagement by the roll-down belt 30. Intermediate the ramp 291' and the roll-down belt 30 the tubes encounter a pressure pad or lever 34 (see also Fig. 5) which is pivoted about an axis 36 that is parallel to the tubes M. The lever 34 is biased upwardly by a spring 38, for reasons which will shortly appear. The tubes roll down the top surface of the lever 34, which is slightly inclined downward. Part way along the described surface, the tube first meets the roll-down belt 30 and is engaged thereby.

The roll-down belt 30 is looped around a driven pulley 49, i. e., driven by this belt) at its entering end and a driving pulley 42 at its discharge end and moves in the direction shown by the arrow at the top of Fig. 4.

The roll-down belt 30 exerts downward pressure against the tubes, and when a tube first comes in contact with the entering end of the roll-down belt 38 (one tube is shown in that position in Fig. 4), such downward pressure squeezes the tube against the pressure lever 34, which is slightly lowered thereby by rotation about the axis 36. This rotation is against the upward bias of the spring 38, and the overall effect is to insure that the roll-down belt 38. will positively grab the tube.

After the roll-down belt 88 grabs the tube (i. e. to roll it along), but before the tube comes to the end of the lever 34, the tube becomes supported by the top, substantially horizontal surface of a timing lever 44 (Fig. 3) which is, like the pressure lever 34, pivoted at the axis 36. Also like the lever 34, the timing lever '44 is biased upwardly by a spring 45, so that when no tube is riding upon the lever 44, the horizontal top surface thereof will be separated from the roll-down belt 3! by a distance which is slightly less than the diameter of the tubes M to which labels are being applied.

Thus, when a tube passes along the lever 44, the downward pressure applied by the roll-down belt 38 is transmitted through the tube to depress the lever 44 against the upward bias of the spring 45. This depression has for its purpose to actuate a trigger mechanism to the end that a label will be positioned for adhesion to the tube. The trigger mechanism will be described below in detail in connection with the label-feeding mechanism.

The advancing tube then passes over or-slightly above a stationary bar-shaped member 48, which cooperates with the knife as described below, and which is positioned with its horizontal upper surface separated from and below the rolldown belt 38 by a distance slightly more than the diameter of the tube. For convenience this member is identified as the bar 48. At the same time the tube is continuing to travel along the lever 44, which extends (in the direction of tube travel) past the lateral end of the bar 48, as seen in Fig. 5. Slightly after passing over the bar 48, the tube reaches the forward end of the timing lever 44, which is bevelled downwardly, as at '45 (Figs. 3 and to ease the passage of the tube from the lever 44 onto a tube support 41 having its top substantially horizontal, and further having a notched portion 47a at its rearward end .to make room for the forward end of the timing lever 45. and to provide a support for the lever when it is in its depressed position. The tube then (while its outer portion is over the tube support 4?) passes onto a plate 58, which is heated as described below so as to constitute the griddle mentioned in the preliminary explana tion hereinabove, and across which the tube is rolled up er pressure applied from above by the roll-down belt as. As will appear more clearly hereafter, a label will be positioned upon the griddle 58, adhesive side up, in advance of the arrival there of the tube, and the adhesive will be prepared to adhere the label to the tube. Thus, as the tube rolls across the griddle 58, it picks up the label, which adheres to the tube.

The top of the support 41 is slightly lower than the top of the griddle 58. The griddle 58 has a downwardly bevelled portion 5| (Fig. 4) at its forward edge to ease the tube onto the support 4?.

The griddle 59 is surrounded on three sides, i. e. the back and the two sides, by 'a pair of sideboards 52 and a backstop 54 (Figs. 4, 5, l8, 9 and 12), all of which are mounted between two side plates 56 which are in turn mounted to swing together about a horizontal axis defined by a rod 58 parallel to the tubes l4 (this pivotal connection to be described below). The plates 56 thus extend forwardly from the griddle 58, i. e. in the direction of motion of the tubes l4, past the axis 58. The outermost ends of the plates 56 are joined by a saddle piece 59a, by which they are pivotally connected as at 68 to a block 680. at the upper end of a vertical rod 62 which passes near its upper end through a hole in a bracket 63 carried by the roll-down table, described below. The lower end of the rod 62 carries a stop nut 66, and a coil spring 68 is held under compression between the nut 66 and the bracket 63 (see also Fig. 2). Thus, the spring 68 holds the sideboards 52 and the backstop 54 normally in a position in which the sideboards 52 and the backstop 54 protrude upwardly above the top of the griddle 58. In their rearward direction, 1. e. toward the bar 48, the sideboards 52 extend slightly beyond the griddle 58.

The lower face of the piece 5911 between the ends of the plates 56 is adapted to abut the upper faces of shelf portions 68b which project from the roll-down table (to be described), so as to limit the upward motion of the sideboards 52 and backstop 54, as shown.

The sideboards 52 have a thicker vertical dimension at their central portions than at their first-encountered (or rearward) ends so that their upper edges constitute sloping cam surfaces and hence as an advancing tube rolls toward and across the griddle 58, it will depress the sideboards 52 and the backstop 54, against the resistance of the spring 68. After the tube passes over the backstop 54, the spring 68 will be free once more to return the sideboards 52 and the backstop 54 to their normal up position. The sideboards 52 and the backstop 54 serve to locate the label in desired position on the griddle 58.

After passing the backstop 54, the tube is rolled, still under pressure applied from above by the roll-down belt 38, along a roll-down table 18, where such pressure completes the task of setting the label around the tube.

Between the griddle 58 and the roll-down table 18, the tube is supported upon the top of the tube support 47, which as aforesaid is slightly below the griddle and which is also slightly below the roll-down table.

Inasmuch as the tubes 14 may be slightly irregular, as by being bowed slightly (sometimes almost imperceptibly) in a lengthwise direction, and inasmuch as it is extremely desirable to have a perfectly flat contact between the tubes and the griddle 58 and the roll-down table 18, i. e. a full linear contact parallel to the axis of each tube, means are provided to assure that such will be the case.

To accomplish this self-aligning feature, the griddle 58 is made saddle-shaped in vertical, transverse section, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13. The inverted U-shaped portion 12a of the saddle rests upon the top of a base l2,as at I4. The top knife-like portion 14 of the base 12 extends in the direction of movement of the tubes I4 across the griddle 58.

The roll-down table 18 is similarly saddleshaped in vertical, transverse section (see especially Fig. 13) and the inverted U-shapcd portion 140, of the saddle rests upon the top 14 of the base 12 (Figs. 2, 4, and I3) which extends all the way from the rear or entering end of the griddle 58 to the forward or discharge end of the roll-down table 18, except fora cut-out portion 16 between the griddle 50 and the roll-down table 10. The cut-out portion 16, registering with a similarly functioning space between the griddle 50 and the table 10, accommodates the backstop 54 and permits it to. move downwardly when a tube [4 passes over the griddle so. As shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 13, the roll-down table 10 is thus mounted on the base 12 in exactly the same way as the griddle 50, the latter being depicted in further detail in Fig. 12.

In this way the griddle 50 and the roll-down table 16 are each independently able to rock freely about an axis which extends along the path of the tubes M, the upper edge of the upstanding base part 14 being rounded and the roof of the cavities 12a and 14a being rounded on a larger radius, as shown, to permit such motion while appropriately seating the griddle and table. For like accommodation of the rocking movement, which usually need not be very large, there is suitable space between the sides of the upstanding part 14 and the vertical walls of the cavities 12a and 14a, and likewise between the side faces of the griddle 50 and the Sideboards 52 (Fig. 12).

Thepivotal connection corresponding to the rod 58 for the sideboard plates 56, mentioned above, will now be described. As aforesaid, the rod 58 is between the griddle and the pivotal connection 60. The rod 58 passes through a hole 58?) crosswise through the roll-down table Ill, the hole 58b being of larger diameter than the rod 58. The rod 58 is located centrally in the hole 581) by bushings 580. See Figs. 4 and 13. For clarity only the rod 58 is numbered in Fig. 4. The ends of the rod 58 also pass through holes in the plates 56, which are fixed to the rod. The rod 58 lies very loosely in a semi-circular recess 58d in the top 14 of the roll-down table base 12. By reason of this arrangement, the sideboard plates 55 rock freely back and forth with the roll-down table Ill.

Two dowel pins 50a and 10a project upwardly from the top 74 of the base 12 and are loosely fitted in corresponding holes in the griddle H and the roll-down table Hi, respectively, to prevent the griddle 50 and/or the table 70 to slide lengthwise relative to the base 12.

The net result of the griddle 5D and the rolldown table H1 being shaped and mounted as aforesaid is that flat contact between the tubes l4 and the griddle El) and the rolldown table is assured, even if the tubes 14 are slightly bowed lengthwise or for some other reason present their label-receiving portions at a small angle to the horizontal. Therefore, the pressure applied by the roll-down belt 30 (which is likewise slightly yieldable to the same effect) will press the labels squarely against the tubes to attain an eifective seal.

The label feeding mechanism, which is entirely below the tubes M, will be described next with particular reference to Figs. 4, 8, 9 and 11. The label feed is in the same direction as the tube movement. Labels l3, e. g. printed with the desired legend, are supplied in the form of a continuous paper strip 15 from a supply roll 16 (Fig. 3). The strip l5 may have suitable perforations between the individual labels to define the latter, for example laterally elongated perforations lll located centrally of the strip 75 and of a length approximately half the width of the strip 15 (Figs. 11 and 14). The long dimension of each perforation I8 is perpendicular to the edges of the strip 15, there being (in the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 14) one such perforation at each label-defining line across the strip. The strip 15 (of paper or other suitable label material) is provided on one side with heatsensitive adhesive and is taken off the roll 16 with the adhesive side up. From the roll 16 the strip is passed over a freely rotating guide roller or spool 16a, under a looper (to be described) and upwardly from the looper 80 onto a horizontal label guide 82. At the forward end of the guide 82, the strip 15 is passed or drawn between upper and lower label guides 84 and 86 respectively, which are inclined upwardly, for example at an angle of about 20 with the horizontal. It will be understood that the roll 16 is rotatably supported at a locality which in fact may be considerably further spaced from the looper 80 than appears in the somewhat diagrammatic representation of this art of Fig. 4.

The horizontal guide 62 has a cut-out portion 88 near the looper 80 which is designed to permit a crimper 90, or more accurately, a lower jaw 82 of the crimper 30, to be inserted therein. The crimper 90 also includes a stationary upper jaw 94 positioned above the lower jaw 92, which is vertically reciprocable into and out of engagement with the upper jaw 94. The label strip 75 is passed between the jaws 92 and 94 of the crimper 90 en route along the guide 82. The crimper 98 will be described in more detail hereafter.

The timing lever 44 (Figs. 3 and 5) carries a trigger block 96 on one side thereof in line with the label strip 75. The trigger block 96, which is thus depressible in response to the position of the lever 44, i. e. movable downward with the lever, is arranged so that there are two horizontally aligned studs 98 carried with it near its bottom. The trigger block 96 at its underside also has a guiding surface I00 positioned a short distance above the studs 98 and sloping upwardly along a path which generally extends from the under surface of the label guide 84 toward the similarly sloping, under guiding surface H0 of the stationary bar or block 48. That is to say, the sloping under surface I00 of the block 96 is adapted to constitute part of the roof of the path along which the label strip 15 is guided toward the griddle 50, it being understood that the surface IBB is normally elevated as shown in Fig. 8 but is depressed'when a tube I4 rocks the lever 44 downwardly (Fig. 9), to a position closer to true alignment with the under surfaces of the guide and the bar 48.

The label strip '15 is passed from the guides 84 and 86 between the surface I80 and the studs 98, which extend toward each other from either side of the label strip but have their inner ends spaced so as to leave a gap between them which corresponds in length substantially to the length of the perforations 18 in the strip 15. One of the studs 98 is mounted on a vertical plate [02a at the side of the lever 44 and the other stud 98 is mounted on a corresponding vertical plate I02 horizontally spaced from the plate lflZa by the trigger block 96', theentire arrangement of the block 95, plates Hi2 and 102a and studs 98 thus being carried rigidly by the lever 44 and constituting a trigger assembly. 'The plate I02 is spaced sufiiciently from the plate IUZato accommodate the label strip 15 between them, i. e.-as it passes beneath the surface Hill and over the studs es. At its forward end, i. e. furthest in the direction of label and tube travel, the block 96 has a vertical notch 100a, which is about as wide as the distance between the studs 98 (and thus considerably narrower than the label strip) to permit free passage of a projecting end of the pawl described below and also to permit some visual inspection of the label advancing operation.

From the trigger block 96, the free end of the label strip I5 is drawn into sliding relationship beneath a bevelled portion I06 on the underside of the bar 48, and onward beneath the principal under surface I I of the bar.

A pawl I04 is designed to reciprocate continuously lengthwise of and beneath the strip 15. The pawl I04 has a somewhat upwardly projecting finger I08 at one end, and the finger I08 is so shaped (e. g. as shown, with a horizontal notch or shoulder beneath it) as to be adapted to engage, given proper conditions, the perforations I8 separating the labels I3 of the strip 15. When an advancing tube I4 enters the roll-down belt 30 and depresses the timing lever 44 and consequently the trigger block 96 too, the surface I00 on the underside of the trigger block 06 pushes the label strip 15 downward so that the somewhat upstanding finger I08 of the reciprocating pawl I04 can enter and engage the perforation I8 between the last (i. e. leading) label !3 and the rest of the strip 15. This action occurs at or near that end of the path of stroke of the pawl E04 which is remote from the griddle 50, e. g. just as the pawl begins to advance from such locality of its path. The pawl I04 then moves toward the griddle 50, pushing the last label between the downwardly facing guiding surface IIO defined by the underside of the bar 48 and a further guiding surface afforded by a block! H which is positioned just below the surface H0, and which may be conveniently carried (with suitable spacing structure) by the bar 48 at or near the end of the latter. At the same time the rest of the strip I is correspondingly pulled along the line in position for the next stroke-of the pawl I04.

Preferably during this portion of the stroke of the pawl I04, the last label I3 is pushed part way, and advantageously somewhat more than half way onto the griddle 50 (Fig. 9). For example, if, as aforesaid, the label is 1 /2 inches long, good results are attained if the label is pushed inch onto the griddle 50, the parts being designed to achieve such condition when the perforation at the trailing end of the label has just reached the further end of the bar 48. At this point, a divided cut-off knife I I4 rises, straddlesthe finger I00 of the pawl I04 (which momentarily pauses), and severs the label (which is partially on the griddle 50) from the remainder of the strip as by action against a cutting edge H6 formed at the lower corner or edge of the bar 48 which faces the griddle 50. The knife H4, as will be described below, reciprocates in timed relationship with the pawl I04. Thus during this phase of its stroke, the pawl I64 pushes the perforation 58 right up to the knife II4, so that the knife cuts the label along the line of the perforation.

As soon as the severing action is completed, the knife H4 recedes "downward, and even before the knife II4 starts downward, the pawl I04 resumes its motion toward the griddle 50, passing through the central notch in the knife and pushing the now-severed label 13 the rest of the way up onto the griddle 50, to a position bounded by the sideboards 52 and the backstop 54. It will be noted that during the operation of the knife, the finger I08 overlies the forward (leading) edge of the perforation so as to retain its engagement with the severed label for the further advance of the latter as just described. During this phase of the stroke, the pawl I04 itself passes between the surfaces IIO and'IIZ, and the finger I08 of the pawl passes into a notch II8 provided therefor in the forward end of the griddle 50.

When the label severing operation occurs, the rearmost or trailing portion of the severed label I3 is beneath a wire label guide I (see especially Fig. 16) which holds the label down as the severing occurs, and which, while not always necessary, positively prevents the label I3 from popping up or bouncing in some undesired direction. Thus a more positive control is afforded over the course of the severed label I3 onto the griddle 50. The wires I20 are suitably fastened, as to the frame of the machine.

The griddle 50 is heated, as by an electric resistance heater I22 (Fig. 4) carried in the griddle 50, and having its lower end in a cavity I24 in the griddle base I2, to a temperature sufficient to prepare the adhesive material on the label almost instantaneously foradhesion to the tube I4. When the adhesive is thus prepared, the oncoming tube I4, being the one which caused the advance of the label I3 to the griddle 50, rolls over the griddle as explained above and picks up the label I3 via its adhesive (now sticky or tacky), whereupon adhesion is then completed as the tube and its label roll the length of the roll-down table I0.

A notch I I8 in the rearward edge of the griddle 50 corresponds to the end of the stroke of the pawl, and as soon as the finger I08 of the pawl enters the notch I I8 finally to position the label 13 on the griddle 50, the pawl I04 returns to the other end of its travel, ready to repeat the above-described work-stroke.

Above has been explained what happens when an advancing tube I4 passes over the timing lever 44 and depresses the trigger block 00. On the other hand, when no tube is approaching the griddle 50, it is desirable that no label be fed onto the griddle. Thus after a tube I4 has left the timing lever 44 at its end 45 (such action occurring just about as the tube is first passing onto the griddle 50, as shown in Fig. 5) the timing lever 44 returns to its normal up position (by the action of the spring 46), simultaneously raising the trigger block 96, including the surface I00 and the studs 98. When this occurs, and if no further tube I4 depresses the lever 44, the studs 98 will lift the label strip I5 upwardly, so that the finger I08 of the pawl can not engage the perforation I8 between the last label I3 and the remainder of the strip I5. That is to say, the pawl I04 nevertheless continues its reciprocal action, but the perforated part of the strip is held well above and clear of its path; the smoothended finger I08 is moved idly along beneath the strip 15 (indeed repeatedly back and forth until another tube I4 reaches the lever 44) and there is no advance of the strip at all.

Thus it is assured that one label I3 and no more will be fed onto the griddle for each tube I 4; nor will any label be fed unless a tube is actually advancing to receive it.

Another important point to be noticed is that the described construction, 1. e.'with provision for advancing the labelsno more than partially onto the griddle 50 before severing them from the strip, enables an air gap to be provided between the cut-off knife H4 and the griddle. This gap arrangement (clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9) is significant, because it means that the knife 4 will be maintained cool enough during the operation of the machine so that it will not plasticize the heat-sensitive adhesive of the label. Thus the labels I3 cannot stick to the knife H4 and so be carried by it out of engagement with the pawl finger I08 or otherwise clog. the machine. I

As will now be apparent, the distance along the path of the label strip from the uppermost surfaces of the studs 98 to the end edge IIB of the bar 48 is approximately equal to the length of one label, so that after the knife has made a cut at the line of one perforation, the next succeeding perforation is in place to be lifted out of the path of the pawl unless another tube I I is coming along.

It has been explained that the present apparatus is adapted for operation at relatively high speed, the illustrated machine being capable, for example, of providing from 1000 to at least 5000 label applications per hour. Where such is the case, it is practically necessary that the label strip I5 be very long. For example, the label supply roll 16 may start out containing as many as, say, 10,000 to 25,000 labels I3. The supply roll, particularly when large and heavy, produces a good deal of so-called back weight or drag against which the finger I08 of the pawl would have to pull in drawing the label strip I5 directly from the roll, with corresponding likelihood that the strip will be torn or mutilated, the inertia of the roll also enhancing any frictional drag that may occur along the path ofthe strip. Therefore, some means of relieving the back weight or pull should be provided. This is the function of the looper 80.

The looper 80 consists of a rubber-covered knob or wheel I28 mounted (i. e. fixed) with its axis horizontal on an arm I30 pivoted about a horisontal stub shaft I32 (see Figs. 3, 4 and 5). Specifically, the arm I30 carries an elongated hub 532a rotatably supported on the shaft I32, which is itself fixedly supported by a member I321) carried by or embodied with the main frame of the machine.

As aforesaid, the label strip I5 is passed from the supply roll I6, over the guide spool 16a and under the looper 80. More accurately, it is passed downwardly at, say, a 45 angle from the guide roller 16a around the underside of the wheel I28 and up to the horizontal guide 82. Means which will be described in detail below reciprocate the looper arm I30 about the axis I32 in timed relationship with the operation of the pawl I00, so that the motion of the looper knob I28 defines a small arc of a circle. When travelling downward along its path, the knob I28 pulls a length of label strip from the roll I6, to make up a slack label supply. This action occurs during the portion of the cycle in which the pawl I04 recedes from the griddle 50, i. e. while the pawl I04 is not working. As the pawl I again travels toward the griddle 50, the looper arm I30 is driven upwardly, to make sure that'the previously withdrawn loop of label strip is truly slack (for the desired free advance of label strip by the pawl) and to position the looper, 1. e. the knob I28, for repeating its operation to draw more label strip off of the supply roll IE and re-establish the slack loop.

At least in most cases best labeling results are attained where it is made certain, by special provision (if necessary), that the ends of the labels I3 are fully heated on the griddle 50. While the present machine has been found remarkably effective in achieving full, smooth ad-.

herence of all portions of each label to the pass ing tube, and thus in achieving adequate heating of the adhesive material throughout the label, it is sometimes possible to tolerate less than optimum temperature in the central portion of the label if the adhesive material at the ends is completely prepared and the label is there tightly adhered to the tubing. Furthermore, by making sure that when the label is first deposited on the griddle 50 both ends are in good heatreceiving contact with the heated surface, there is not only optimum adhesive preparation at the ends but also a tendency of all portions of the label ahead of a tube rolling upon it, to move toward rather than away from the griddle. The described initial disposition of the label can be attained either by forming the griddle 50 with a dip in the middle and using flat labels or by forming the griddle 50 fiat and by contouring the labels I3 to have an upward bulge in their central portions, or indeed by having both a slight dip in the heated table and a slight bulge in the label. While any one of these provisions can be readily embodied in the illustrated machine, it is at present preferred to employ the second of them, using a plane griddle surface, inasmuch as the others necessitate lowering and raising the tubes I4 as they cross the griddle.

The upward bulge in the labels I3 is formed by the crimper 90, between the jaws 92 and 00 of which the strip I5 passes shortly after leaving the looper 80. As aforesaid, the upper jaw 94 is stationary, being mounted upon an arm I 30 which may be conveniently secured to the same piece which forms the guide 82, and the lower jaw 92 reciprocates up and down toward and away from the upper jaw 00. The jaws 02 and 94 are shaped to provide the desired bulge, and are faced with thin rubber or like pads 03 and 95, respectively, which actually contact the strip I5, when the jaws 92 and 04 close.

The lower jaw 92 of the crimper 90 is driven from the looper in timed relationship therewith by means of a spring-loaded friction clutch I34 pivotally mounted about the axis of the shaft I32, 1. e. the looper axis. The clutch I34 includes a pincher mechanism consisting of a pincher arm I38 which has split upper and lower portions I381; and I381), respectively, which are mounted upon the elongated hub I32a of the looper arm I30, the portions I38a, I380 being shaped to define, together, a cylindrical opening which conforms with the cylindrical outer surface ofthe hub I32a.

The split portions I38a are tightly held together around the hub I32a. by a vertical stud or bolt I40 (on the side of the assembly nearest the crimper which passes freely through a hole in the upper member 538a and is threaded into the lower member I381), and by a compression spring I44 located in a vertical socket IRS in the upper portion E3811 and bearing against the head of a vertical bolt or screw I42 which passes freely through the bottom of the socket and is threaded into the lower member I38?) (on the side of the assembly remote from the crimper 90). Thus the described pincher arm assembly is clamped on the hub I321; of the looper arm with a frictional grip that is determined by the compression of the spring I44, and that may, if desired, be changed by adjusting such compression.

The lower portion I381; of the pincher arm I38 has an essentially horizontal extension I300 (disposed above and beside the path of the label strip on the guide table 82) from which there depends a bracket portion including a shelf I48 which juts out (toward the viewer in Fig. 4) into the gap 88 in the guide 82. It is on this shelf I48 that the lower, movable jaw 92 of the crimper is mounted, immediately below the upper jaw 94.

The horizontal pincher arm extension I380 has a lower corner I50 which is adapted to abut the guide 82 at a suitable locality, i. e. removed from the label strip 15, to limit the downward displacement of the lower jaw 92 of the crimper 90.

Thus, the parts [38a and I382) of the pincher arm I38 frictionally engage the elongated hub of the looper arm I30, and such engagement by friction, the amount of which can be varied by tightening or loosening the screw I42, causes the pincher arm I38 to follow the movement of the reciprocating looper arm I30. That is, when the looper arm 30 is driven downwardly, or in counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4, the arm I38 will be frictionally driven upwardly, also in a counterclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4, and the jaw 92 of the crimper 90 will be moved upwardly against the jaw 04, to crimp a label 13.

Correspondingly, when the looper arm I30 is driven upwardly or clockwise, the pincher arm I38 will be frictionally driven downwardly or clockwise, to separate the jaw 92 from the jaw 94 until further movement is prevented by the corner I50 meeting the guide 82.

Preferably, the angular displacement of the looper arm I30 about the shaft I32 should be greater than the maximum annular displacement of the pincher arm I38 about the shaft I32, to assure tight crimping action. That is to say, with such an arrangement, when the looper arm I30 and the pincher arm I38 are moving counterclockwise, the jaw 92 should be stopped by the jaw 94 before the looper arm I30 reaches the end of its counterclockwise stroke. After jaws 92 and 94 are together and while the looper arm I30 is still moving counterclockwise, the friction can drive the jaw 92 no further, and slippage occurs between the looper hub I32a and the parts I38a, I381). The same thing happens when the parts are moving in the other direction and the corner I50 encounters the guide 82.

From the above, it is apparent that the looper 80 creates a slack supply, or makes a loop, during the downward travel of the looper arm I30, and simultaneously, the crimper 90 grabs the label strip 15 and crimps a label 13 to the desired contour, 1. e. so that the labels will be heated most promptly at their ends while on the griddle 50. It will be understood that the crimper jaws are located at a place remote from the label-severing end of the bar 48 by a distance equal to a whole number of label lengths, or rather, are located so that when the label strip is arrested during the return stroke of the pawl, the center of a label is always disposed at the central region of the jaws 92, 94. Thus it is assured that the desired contour will be applied squarely to each label. As will be appreciated, the jaws of the crimper may have any configuration suitable to the crimping or bending action desired; for example in some cases (where it is simply desired to correct a slight curl in each label such as occasioned by snubbing around the wheel 25) the jaws may be simply plane, or where a slight, central, bulge (upward) is desired for the ultimately severed label, a wide inverted V-shape may be adapted for the jaw faces, as shown.

It will further be understood that the crimper 90 should perform its crimping function while the pawl I04 is moving away from the griddle, i. e. toward the crimper 90. Were it otherwise, the strip 15 would surely be torn, as the pawl I04 would be pulling the stri 15 while the crimper 90 would be firmly holding the strip against movement.

For clarity of illustration and ease of understanding, the crimper 90 is shown in Fig. 4 with its jaws 92 and 94 in their separated or open position, although it is to be understood that for the illustrated position of the looper arm I30 (i. e. at its furthest downward location), the jaws of the crimper are actually closed.

The crimper 90 performs the further function of preventing the label strip 15 from slipping back away from the pawl I04 while the pawl is receding from the griddle 50. In addition, of course, the crimper positively holds the label strip at a locality beyond the looper, while the looper is drawing another length of strip from the supply roll; thus the strip-displacing movement of the knob I28 can only pull strip from the wheel and cannot pull any of it back from the path that. extends past the trigger studs 99. It should be noted that in the machine shown, the actual displacement of the crimper jaw 92 is advantageously very small, compared to the total swing of the looper knob I28; indeed the clamping of the jaws occurs essentially at the outset of the downward (counterclockwise) stroke of the looper, and complete. opening of the jaws is effected at the beginning of the reverse (or slackreleasing) stroke of the looper.

To turn now to the driving and timing mechanism, reference is had particularly to Figs. 6 and '7, which show details of a gear box I52. A main shaft I54 is driven by sprockets I56 (in the direction shown by the arrow in Fig. 6) and chain belt means I51 from any suitable source of power, such as a Reeves transmission (not shown).

Mounted on the shaft I54 and rotatable therewith is a gear I58 which meshes with a gear I60 mounted on a second shaft I62. The shaft I62 also carries another gear I64 which meshes with a further gear I66 mounted on a third shaft 25 (Fig. 1) which is thus rotated through the abovedescribed gear train to drive the paddle wheel 24 in continuous rotation.

An eccentric I58 is mounted on an end of the main shaft I54, outside the gear box I52. One end of an actuating rod I10 (Fig. 4) is connected to and is driven by the eccentric I68, by usual means, such as a stud I12, bearings and a bearing housing I14. The other end of the actuating rod I10 is pivotally connected to the looper arm I30 at I16 by a stud I18. Thus, the looper (which in turn drives the crimper is continuously reciprocated by the eccentric I68.

Also mounted on the main shaft I54 is a pawlactuating plate cam I80. A lever arm I82 is pivotally mounted at one nd on and actuates another shaft I84. The other end of the arm I82 carries a'cam follower I86 which is held in contact with the cam I80 by means of a counterbalancing spring I88 which constantly pushes a drill rod I90 against a platform I92 which juts out from the arm I82 adjacent the shaft I84 and on the opposite side thereof from the cam follower I86.

The shaft I84 has an end outside the gear box I52, and on that end is mounted the lower end of a pawl-actuating arm I94 (Figs. 3 and 4), the upper end of which is. pivoted to the pawl I04 at I96. The finger I08 of the pawl I04 is biased 17 upwardly by a spring I98 stretched between the end of the pawl HM remote from the finger I08 and a point part way down the arm I94.

The timing of the looper 80 and the pawl its (by means of the eccentric I63 and the cam 188, respectively) is such that when the pawl Hi l is at the rear (non-pushing) end of its stroke, or preferably just as it starts its forward motion, the looper Bil is commencing its loop-freeing stroke (i. e. its upward motion), and the crimper 22 is simultaneously released.

Thus, the arm use moves in response to the cam we to drive the pawl EM in the desired fashion, 1. e. from its position furthest from the griddle Q forward until the finger Hi8 has reached the knife H4, where the pawl hesitates, then up into the notch H8 in the griddle 5t and finally back once more to its original position, these movements of the pawl being dictated by the appropriate contour of the cam E82.

A lmife-actuating face cam 200 is also mounted on the shaft I5 3. A cam follower 222 rides in the track of the cam 2th and is mounted on one end of a lever arm 204, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on and actuates a shaft 2%. One end of the shaft 206 is outside the gear box I52 and rigidly mounted thereon is a knife arm 2%. An extended portion of the knife arm 228 remote from the shaft 262 carries the knife H4, held in an undercut notch 208a by a clamping part 2H which constitutes one side of the notch (Fig. 7 showing these parts with the knife removed, for clarity). The cam 2th for the knife is so shaped as to actuate the knife arm 208 and the knife H4 just at the point where the finger Hit of the pawl has arrived beneath the stationary cutting edge N6 of the bar 48.

It will be understood from the above that the paddle wheel 22 is timed with the pawl Hi l and the knife [Hi to deliver tubes to the roll-down belt 32 at such a rate that no label will be fed to the griddle 53 while another tube is on the griddle, i. e. the tubes are sufficiently separated by the paddle lwheel so that no tube will depress the lever is as another tube is undergoing a label application.

There remains to be described the assembly of the roll-down belt and the means for driving and adjusting the same for tubes of varying diameters.

The driven pulley is mounted on a horizontal shaft 252 (Fig. l) suitably carried by a shaft holder 2M secured to the underside of a horizontal belt bracket 2H5. The driving pulley is mounted on a horizontal shaft 2l3 (Figs. 3 and i) suitably carried in bearings (not shown) in a bearing block 220 secured to the underside of the belt bracket 2H5. The shaft 2M also carries a sprocket 2| 9.

The ends of the belt bracket 2% are pivotally connected to vertically disposed elevator shafts 222 and 224 as indicated at 226 in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 shows the pivotal connection between the bracket 2 it and the shaft 222, corresponding to the driving pulley The connection between the bracket 2:16 and the shaft 224 may be identical, or if necessary, the pivot hole can be elongated to accommodate vertical movement of the shaft 2% for reasons explained below.

The shafts 222 and 224 are carried within elevator housings 226 and 228, respectively, and are in slidable relationship therewith. The housings 22b and 228, which are stationary, are rig- 18 idly carried on the frame of the machine as shown at 230 and 23! in Fig. 3.

The driving pulley 42 is chain-driven from the shaft I62 (see also Figs. 6 and 7), which has a sprocket 232 mounted on one end. Pivotally mounted on the shaft I62 adjacent the sprocket 232 is one end of an arm 23%, the other end of which is pivotally mounted on a floating shaft 2%, which in turn carries a sprocket 238.

Also mounted on the floating shaft 236, to be turned with the sprocket 238, is a sprocket 2 th which is preferably positioned vertically beneath the sprocket 2H. The sprockets 259 and 220 are held a predetermined distance apart by sprocket spacers 222 and 224 which pivot respectively on the shafts 236 and 2m and which are bolted together in overlapping relationship.

Thus, to drive the driving pulley 22, the shaft H62 drives the sprocket 232, which drives the sprocket 233 by means of a chain 2%. The sprocket 238 rotates the floating shaft 236, which in turn drives the sprocket 2st. lhe latter sprocket drives the sprocket are by means of a chain 2%, and the sprocket 2H) drives the shaft 252 to turn the pulley 52. The pulley d2 drives the roll-down belt til, which in turn frictionally drives the pulley it.

The chain 228 may be equipped with a chain guard 2563, if desired.

To accommodate tubes of diiferent diameters, it is necessary that means be provided for bodily raising and lowering the roll-down belt 30 within predetermined limits.

Accordingly, the elevator shaft 222 is internally threaded at its lower end, and these threads are engaged by the threads of a screw 252. The screw 252 is rotatable by a crank 2% to raise or lower the shaft 222.

The elevator shaft 222 is provided with a similar screw-thread arrangement (not shown) at its lower end, for identically raising and lowering it.

A sprocket 256 rigidly carried on the shank of the screw 252 is also turned by the crank 25%, and a chain 262 is driven thereby to turn a sprocket 258 which correspondingly turns a screw 2520'. in the bottom of the elevator shaft 222, the screw 252a being threaded to support the shaft 224.

Thus, when the crank 252 is operated, the shafts 222 and 224 are raised or lowered in unison, to raise or lower the pulleys iil and 32 as desired.

When the crank 252 is turned to raise the rolldown belt 36, the sprocket 259 will likewise be raised. This will raise the assembly of the sprocket spacers 222 and 2M and the sprocket 242, the floating shaft 236 and the sprocket 233 as well, to rock the arm 23 3 in a counterclockwise direction (about the shaft H62) as seen in Fig. 3.

Sometimes an oversized tube might be fed into the machine. In such case, it is desirable that means be provided to cut oil the machine automatically, to prevent injury thereto. Accordingly, the screw 25211 (which rigidly carries the shaft 222) is not rigidly affixed to the sprocket 258 and its bearing assembly 25%, but instead, the screw 2520. is keyed to the sprocket but adapted to slide vertically therein and in the bearing assembly so that the screw 252a (and the shaft 222) can rise relative to their sprocket, which is fixed in vertical position. Held under compression between the sprocket 258 a spring holder 38!! rigidly mounted near the lower end of the shaft 224 is a spring 332.

The lower end of the shaft 224 is disposed to control an electrical switch 354, shown for simplicity of illustration as having a pair of normally closed contacts 358, 360, which are arranged to control the driving motor 356 of the Reeves transmission mentioned above. It will be understood that conventional (more complex) circuit controlling instrumentalities are ordinarily used, but the simplified circuit shown in Fig. 3 sufiiciently illustrates the function of the switch, namely that upon entry of an oversize conduit under the belt 3% the shaft 224 is forced upward (against the weight of the upper assembly and the force of spring 382) permitting the contacts 5558, 3% to spring open and instantly deenergize the motor, so that the entire machine stops.

Thus, the described arrangement of parts permits the roll-down belt 3B to be raised or lowered by simply turning the crank 25%.

To provide ample but yieldable downward pressure on the roll-down belt 36 between the pulleys 40 and 42 and hence to assure proper pressure against the tubes M as they are rolled over the griddle Eli and the roll-down table iii, a pressure foot 282 is positioned against the inner surface of the roll-down belt to at the location mentioned, in frictional engagement with the roll-down belt it, e. g. as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

A pressure foot support or framework 264 is secured to the underside of the belt bracket fit by brackets 266 and 268. The framework 253 is shaped in vertical cross-section like an H lying on one side.

Studs 2'16 and 222 have their lower ends screwed into holes in the upper surface of the pressure foot 262 near opposite ends thereof, and are thus rigidly secured to the foot.

The studs Elli) and TH extend upwardly from the foot 262 and pass through holes 2'53 and 288, respectively, in the lower side of the framework 254, and through holes 282 and 23%, respectively, in the upper side of the framework 264. The holes 218, 286, 28?; and 28 3 are of larger diameter than the studs 2h! and 2l2.

The studs 27c and 272 are provided at their upper ends with nuts 2'; and 2'53, respectively, the lower surfaces of which rest upon the top surface of the upper side of the framework Thus the framework 26d supports the foot 25?. in suspended fashion, at an adjustable position, depending upon the setting of the nuts Zl' l and 276 upon their respective studs Zlt and 2'12. It will be understood that the nuts 2M and 216 may be appropriately locked in the desired position of adjustment.

Intermediate the upper and lower sides of the framework 264, the studs 210 and H2 are provided with flanges or collars 283 and 288, respectively, spaced below the upper cross piece of the framework 26%, each of flanges being suitably secured to its stud, e. g. being constituted by a washer supported on a suitably locked nut. Between these flanges and the upper cross piece the studs 21!] and 212 are provided with springs 290 and 292, respectively, i. e. coil springs under compression, as shown.

The upper ends of the springs 29% and 292 bear against the lower surface of the upper side or piece of the framework 264 and their lower ends against the flanges 288 and 288, respectively, to bias the studs 21!! and 212, and hence the pressure foot 262, resiliently downwardly against the roll-down belt 30.

The large holes 218, 280, 232, 284 in the framework 264 permit the foot 262, as supported by the studs 210, 21-2, to rock appreciably for best conformity of the belt 30 with the tube or tubes passing beneath it. In the operation of the machine, the tubes sometimes, however, tend to carry the foot 262 so far forward that the stud 212 would bind in the hole 280 and interfere with the desired cushioning and rocking movement of the foot. Accordingly to prevent such difficulty a tie bar 294 (Fig. 4) may be inserted between the forward stud 212 and a rearward locality of the framework 264. The rear end of the bar 294 is tied to the lower side of the framework 264, as by a headed stud 359 and a nut, the head of the stud serving to prevent the bar 294 from dropping off the stud. The forward end of the plate 2% (in the direction of belt travel) is provided with a hole through which the stud 212 passes in a loosely sliding fit as indicated at 295. The eifect of this arrangement is to provide a tying but somewhat flexible connection extending from the framework 264, which is fixed in position, to keep the stud 212 from moving forwardly and thus to keep the stud 212 from binding in the hole 280.

As illustrated by way of example and as actually used, the apparatus will apply labels at right angles relative to the axis of the conduit, although by changing the line of the label feeding mechanism, the griddle and the roll-down table I0, any other desired label application angle may be had.

Summary By way of summary, the operation of our machine will be briefly recounted. After the machine is in operation, tubes are rolled, one at a time at spaced intervals, toward and across the heated griddle and then across the roll-down table, under downward pressure applied by the roll-down belt, which can be adjusted vertically to accommodate tubes of varying diameters.

En route to the griddle, the tube actuates the trigger mechanism to place the perforation between the last label of the strip and the remainder thereof in position where the finger of the continuously reciprocating pawl will engage said perforation and push said label part way onto the griddle (simultaneously pulling the remainder of the strip along to position the next perforation for subsequent engagement by the finger) When the pawl has pushed the label part way onto the griddle, its motion is momentarily halted, the cut-off knife rises, severs the label from the strip and recedes. Before the knife starts to recede, the pawl resumes its motion toward the griddle and pushes the severed label the rest of the way onto the griddle, where the adhesive of the label is prepared to stick the label to the tube as it rolls thereacross.

When no tube is advancing toward the griddle, the trigger mechanism positions the strip so that the finger of the pawl cannot engage it and hence no label will be fed onto the griddle.

We have experienced no difficulty from the fact that the tubes are positively driven (by the belt 39) only at or near one end while they are advancing through the machine.

Fig. 14 shows a portion of the label strip as actually used as described above. Fig. 15 shows a portion of a label strip 15a having another form of perforation, in which each successive pair of labels 13a is separated by two perforations Ilia extending inwardly from the sides of the strip 'iEa at right angles relative to the centerline of the strip, and separated at the center. Although the type of label shown in Fig. 15 is useful, 

